Escape Routes

Definition

Escape route is most often understood as a defined route from the location that a firefighter or group of firefighters is working to somewhere that would provide safe escape from injury.

Discussion

In the context of wildland fire, the term escape route is most often understood as a defined route from the location that a firefighter or group of firefighters is working to somewhere that would provide safe escape from injury. The route may lead to an area devoid of heavy vegetation that is unlikely to burn (safety zone) or possibly to a vehicle that can provide further transport out of the area, or even to something like a paved road that would significantly increase rate of travel; however, in all cases, the fact is that the escape route is a path to safety.

There are certainly cases in which escape routes have not led to survival from fire and caused injury or death (Butler et al. 1998). In many cases, firefighters seem to be injured or killed not while standing in one...